Please post your questions for Michael in this thread.

Thank you,

The Crew

Hello Michael,

I have many questions, but I will ask just a couple....

 

You say you started in 2011 and are self taught. Can you tell us a bit more about how you managed to learn so much and how did you teach yourself?

 

When you are not taking photos, what other kinds of things interest you?

 

One of the things I enjoyed when reading your interview was that you go back to bring the photo to the people. There are other photographers here that have done this. Can you say a bit more about what this experience feels like for you..when you see their faces?

 

Thank you,

Phyllis

"However, to me, in trying to achieve truth and reality, I have never prepared people beforehand to act as a model to achieve what I have envisioned. So, if I have to go around 1 single area dozens of times to get what I have envisioned, I will. To me that unguarded / candid moments are those that speak the loudest."

 

I know exactly what you mean here Mike, there is an 'awareness' of you/the camera that people have when you are suddenly in their space. Yes of course you still get that natural and candid reaction, but in my experience some of the best jobs I've done have come from spending more time in that situation; after seeing me on several occasions, people become less aware, less bothered and there is an acceptance almost of you and the camera. It also makes me feel more able to tell the story, that I'm not just jumping in and out (although I also appreciate that that is not always possible).

 

It reminds me of Sebastiao Salgado (my personal God of photography) who, when doing his book Workers, used to spend several months at a time with the communities he was documenting. For the first days/week he didn't even have film in his camera. He just snapped until they got so bored of him, they stopped looking, and only then he put film in his camera.

 

I can relate to what you say here "Perhaps the biggest challenge for me is personal security, especially since I am of a different racial ethnicity." I'd be interested to know more about how you deal with certain situations, if/when they arise? I am always discreet, polite and very 'quiet'...but its not always so easy.

Dear Eliza,

 

Thank you very much for this great question.

 

First of all, that is absolutely correct. I never expect to get anything good from my first 2 trip to an area, it is perhaps "uncommon" for somebody holding a camera, taking pictures here and there, especially when you are of a different ethnic then the natives. It is a natural reaction, to question, give you unfriendly look and avoid you at some point. So, getting back to the same area over and over again will give familiarity between you and the people and so, you will get to "blend" in well and capture that Unguarded moment which definitely speaks better than posts.

 

To answer your questions on personal security, i think the best to deal with these situations is not to argue and walk away. I believe all of us has gut feeling. I always listen to my gut feeling. thankfully only once, i went alone to a village in jakarta and i found myself being question with 4 young thugs asking me what are you doing here?, where are you from?, why are you taking pictures? at that point, i politely explain and give the best imaginable body language. But they are adamant and being aggressive. So i asked what do they want, and i asked where are the Village head so i can talk and ask for permission. It was then, they backed away.

 

I guess, as i said during the interview, knowing the culture and the way the people works helps a lot. Thankfully, i have not came across robbing and other worst situation.

 

But again, it is definitely not easy and i bet every area have their own challenges.

Hope this answers Eliza.

 

Cheers,

Mike

Dear Phyllis,

 

Its okay, i will try to answer as much question as possible :)

 

Yes, i bought my 1st camera a DSLR in March 2011 and that is where my journey begins in the world of photography. As much as i want to say its talent, but honestly, all of my friends that new me well, they will say that i am a man of many hobbies. That is all true until i found Photography. I knew instantly that it will become a life long passion of mine. And i think if you love what you do and passionate enough, you will put all your effort to it.

 

So that is exactly what i did. I learn from books, tutorials, magazines and everything about photography that i can get my hands upon. I remember clearly that it started with the DSLR guidebook as i dont know how to operate one.

 

As my journey begins, i began to know people, i join groups. Friends such as Hengki Lee and several other seniors that are not a member of 1x are also one of the biggest reason i learn so much in such a little time.

 

But i have to say, and i not saying this to endorse 1x.com, but i seriously think the biggest teacher for me is by looking and admiring other people's works. and 1x.com curated gallery are one of the best in the web. That is why i forgo posting in all other media except facebook and stick with 1x.com starting this year. When you admire and see other people's work, unknowingly, when in the field, the images are embedded to your sub-conscious mind and it somehow re-create on "if a situation like this, how xxx person will compose? how will he expose?" in turn, you can already imagine at least 60% how the image will turn out even before you press the shutter button. I think this is the most important factor to my improvement and learning in photography.

 

You wont believe it Phyllis, if you join me to these poverty ridden places, the last thing in their mind is to take a photograph. When you bring them their photograph, you can see in their faces how happy they are. Some of them proud and praise themselves, some of them mock themselves looking ugly and etc. but all in good humor and happiness. Their happiness, their act of joy is really the one you want to look for, its even a bigger achievement than winning a photo competition.... at least that is how i feel.

 

Hope this elaborate further and answer your questions.

 

Thank you so much for the fun and excellent questions!

 

Cheers!

Mike

 

Mike, I read this and thought of my time in weird and wonderful places and, in a lot of times, this has been my experience too. I've always thought it was a 'women' thing - that, no matter that there is no common language, women will always find a common bond and something to talk about :)

 

I have found this to be true on many stories and sometimes felt a little smug, as in...hmmm I wonder how a man would get on in this situation :) There is an instant ease, I sit with a group of women, sometimes I can speak the language, sometimes not, but - and especially if children are involved - there is a way to communicate. But I think this is true for either sex, when they come into a situation quietly and with understanding and empathy.

 

In some of the worst and most distressing places, I have found women with such strength and positivity. In South Sudan where the nurses and midwifes in a hospital I was at, had to try and deliver one baby after another, often with the mother (and baby) in serious distress, children themselves sometimes who didn't always survive either, they were positive and they kept going, they were very proud . I still find it absolutely astonishing.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your answer it is very heartfelt, and from it I can see why you are able to engage people.

From your description it seems that you 'fell in love' with photography from the start and knew 'intuitively'...that you would follow this path for a long way... When we find something like this in life, we find our 'bliss' as Joseph Campbell once said, and that can make for a very good life.

 

I am not a documentary photographer, but for a number of years when I visited Greece, I would go to more remote places and find village or mountain people. Mostly I took photos of the old buildings and doorways, but on one occasion these little children, quite poor economically..became very animated when they saw me with my camera. The motioned for me to take their picture - I did - they got their mother- and wanted one with her - I did...I took their name and address...I have some help to do this.

 

When I got home of course I sent them the photos..but I also sent a small inexpensive camera with film, and money to process the film. The next year I went back....It was so so so wonderful..because they had pictures...they had taken...This annual ritual went on every year until they grew up! I will open a thread at some point to talk about this in more detail.

 

What I wanted to say now is that we often'take' from these experiences so much more than what we ever thought possible.....or dreamed of..and so we are not just giving...but really receiving too.

 

It is wonderful that you have been inspired by lx and the work that goes on here.

There are so many talented people and we can all learn from each other. I hope you will be an active member here in this group, and I hope to see your photos more and more.

 

Thank you for taking the time to write back to me.

My best,

Phyllis

Dear Phyllis,

 

First of all, so sorry, i missed out one question of yours from the previous question. As perhaps i mentioned before, i am not a full-time photographer. I work 8 to 5 everyday in an office dealing in Raw cotton for textile use. We source raw cotton from all around the world, US, Australia, Brazil, Africa and etc. So from time to time, juggling to find time between, Work, Passion, Family and Friends is very hard. So there will be time where i might not have much works to share.

 

If i'm not photographing, my other hobby is Cycling. Perhaps not as extreme as Nic Marino, but i love Touring hunders of Kilometers into the country side... going up at the mountains and exploring mountain villages. To me that is so relaxing. (of course i will still have my camera with me). it is also for this reason i decided to forgo using DSLR altogether and get a more Mobile camera. I am shooting Fuji X100s and i think this will be the camera of choice for me for years to come. :)

 

As for the Good life... i really wish so :) Thank you Phyllis! Sending of the photos and small film camera is very kind of you. I am looking forward to the thread, i think its a wonderful inspiration to other aspiring documentary photographers. Its really a good exercise.

 

Indeed Phyllis, i am so glad to have found 1X and be inspired with all the talents here. I have been a member since 2012 and really become active from 2013 and i think for many years to come. 1X and Facebook will be the only home for my photos.

 

Thank you again Phyllis for the questions, share and feedback. so much appreciated.

 

B.Rgds,

Mike

Dear Eliza,

 

Thank you so much for your follow up insight, especially to the women side which obviously i'm oblivious towards. It such an interesting read. You remind me of a video from NatGeo Live! about DINKA : Legendary Cattle hearder by Carol and Angela. (link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erNAdYoqaFo).

 

During the video and their presentation, i was so immensely amazed with these two photographers who battle grueling condition in search for the nomadic DINKA headers and spending time with them. After the war in Sudan, i heard it is extremely hard to find these DINKA headers especially in a large group. Carol and Angela's story coverage on DINKA is definitely one precious documentary piece for the world.

 

In coincidences, you are also in South Sudan but documenting an equally interesting story of social study. Hopefully,as time goes on and condition improves, these midwifes and clinics are also improved drastically so fatality rates are close to zero. By then, your documentary series are a part of history too. a very important one. Kudos!!! i cant wait to see more of your excellent documentary series.

 

Cheers,

Mike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erNAdYoqaFo).

 

Mike thank you for this link to Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher's Nat Geo talk - how wonderful to see them (although I didn't realise how much time had gone by since they were out here, younger and wild haired: age....happens to us all :)

 

I have most of their books, I wish I could have walked in their footsteps, carried their bags, anything...I love how they have captured so much of this continent with such respect and positivity. I love their jewellery angle on it - their book of adornment and how it is used in such variety in north, east, south and west.

 

Some of my favourite images are the ones featuring the big-horned cattle and the children, I sometimes see them (the cattle) out here in Maasailand - they are quite a sight.

 

I just look at their images and am possessed by such wanderlust....

 

My pleasure Eliza, that video of Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher has always and will always be in my bookmark. a truly remarkable documentary presentation. Indeed the Jewellery angle is the one that really describe the hierarchy and status a truly remarkable detail not to be left out. In later part of the presentation, they said that unfortunately, as time progresses that particular culture is rarely seen or abandoned. so sad :(

 

Indeed my fav. have to be the little boy who is fully covered in ashes made from burnt dunk fuel carssing the horn of the cattle while there are hundreds of horns making the background. that is unbelievable!

Hello Michael, i am doing my self documentary. One question bothers me around documentary. Despite from all efforts and preparation for a documentary series how much does luck plays a role for you?

 

How much does your Chinese origine influenses you in your freedom of documentary photography?

First of all, thank you so much for the question Robert, you are indeed a great photographer and Document-er, I have to say i am one of those who are inspired by your wonderful works!

 

Answering your question, I think Preparations can only prepare you so much, especially much to your safety, however, to get that One of a kind moment, the sudden burst of expression and most of all, a superb lighting situation. All of this have to rely on luck on the field. So yes, luck is everything!

 

In fact, last Saturday is the 3rd time i visit the large slums of Kampung Bandan, Jakarta. That very morning i woke up to a cloudy morning and when i reach the destination, a small drizzle starts to pour. Nevertheless, i still continue on to my journey expecting the rain may give a different vibe and mood towards the environment and subject. As i pressed on, i found the village almost deserted, everyone was in their home with closed doors, the closely knitted alley and the subdued natural sunlight doesn't give any illumination to the scene. I have to boost my ISO to 3200 to get at least 1/40 speed in my camera. the 2 hours i spend at the village went by with nothing, i only took about 5 frames and none of which really gives me that "feeling". However, when i finally gave up and call it quits, i traced back my steps intending to return to where i park my car. It was then, the rain has stopped and soft sunlight starts sipping in to the alleys, the villagers also starts to come out from their homes or at least opened their doors. Then, at the spur of moments, i manage to capture the only frame that i have a connection with for that day. and this is the image: http://1x.com/photo/213423/all:user:96653

 

So Yes, Luck definitely plays a big part on the field!

 

Hope this answers Robert.

 

Thank you!

 

Thank you Michael, yes i know situations like this as i have experienced the same plenty of times. My speech is always expect nothing and will get much, expect much and you will get nothing. Meet the challenge before it meets you:-)

 

Nice picture btw, i like the light in the back which gives a lot of depth to the scene and a feeling of the available space and light.

 

Robert

 

@Robert :

 

 

Very very well said!!!! couldn't agree more!

 

Thank you so much for the comment on the picture :) very very much appreciated!

 

Cheers!